Author: Dylan

Amazing Mount Le Conte Backpacking Itinerary

Post author By Dylan
Post date May 7, 2021

Backpacking mount le conte — Sunset at Mount Le Conte

3-Day 2-Night Mount Le Conte Backpacking Itinerary:

Being the 3rd highest peak in the park, it is no surprise that Mount Le Conte offers some incredible views of the Great Smoky Mountains. At the top of this Mountain sits the highest guest lodge in the eastern United States, LeConte Lodge. Here a series of cabins stand where hikers can reserve a stay. Reservations are needed in advance here if you can’t get one for your backpacking trip, though, do not worry because there is a shelter located not far from the lodge.

This trip is a loop trail starting and ending in Sugarlands Visitor Center. On this trip, you will get views from Mount LeConte, the Appalachian Trail, and Sugarland Mountain!

Trek Specs:

Type of Route: Loop

Total Mileage: ~35.7 miles

Total Elevation Gain: ~8,022ft

Are Permits Required: Yes

Day 1: Sugarland Visitor Center to Mount Le Conte.

Via Old Sugarland Train>Rainbow Falls Trail>Boulevard Trail
Distance: ~11 miles
Elevation Gain: ~5,112ft

Day 2: Mount Le Conte to Mount Collins Shelter.

Via Boulevard Trail>Appalachian Trail>Sugarland Mountain Trail
Distance: ~12.5 miles
Elevation Gain: ~2,461ft

Day 3: Mount Collins Shelter to Sugarland Visitor Center.

Via Sugarland Mountain Trail>Husky Gap Trail>Newfound Gap Road
Distance: ~12.2 miles
Elevation Gain: ~449ft

***Reminder to always check the park’s website to get up-to-date information on trail closures and the latest backcountry rules and regulations.

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Great Smokey Mountain

Closest Airports To Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Post author By Dylan
Post date May 7, 2021

Closest Airports To Great Smoky Mountains National Park:

If you are not within driving distance from the park, have no fear there are multiple airport hubs that you can fly into. Prior to booking your flight, I would recommend coming up with a plan on where in the park you plan on spending most of your time. Because the park is very large to a tune of 522,447 acres, and you want to select an airport most convenient for you!

Knoxville Mcghee-Tyson Airport (TYS):

Knoxville Mcghee-Tyson airport: Located just 12 miles south of Knoxville Tennessee, if you plan on spending most of your time on the Tennessee side of the smokies this airport is just over an hour’s drive to Gatlinburg park entrance.

Address: 2055 Alcoa Hwy, Alcoa, TN 37701

Phone: (865) 342-3000

Asheville Regional Airport (AVL):

Located 16 miles from Asheville, North Carolina, The Asheville regional airport is only an hour and fifteen minutes drive from the Oconaluftee park entrance. If you plan on spending your time in the North Carolina and southeast regions of the park this airport will offer you the shortest commute to your Smoky Mountains adventure!

Address: 61 Terminal Dr #1, Fletcher, NC 28732

Phone: (828) 684-2226

Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP):

This North Carolina airport is located smack in between the cities of Greenville and Spartanburg. This airport is a little more than a two-hour drive from the Oconaluftee park entrance. So like Asheville Regional airport, if you plan on spending your time in the North Carolina and Southeast regions of the park this can be a potential option for you. Although it is a bit farther away than the Asheville airport if you need more flight options this can be a good alternative.

Address: 2000 GSP Dr, Greer, SC 29651

Phone: (864) 877-7426

Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT):

Located just outside Charlotte, North Carolina CLT is one of the busiest airports in the country. Although this airport may not be the closest to the park, it offers an array of flight times and can be a good option for those traveling internationally. Again this airport would be best suited for those of you who plan on spending most of your time in the North Carolina portion of the park located 162 miles approximately a two-hour and fifty-minute car drive from the Oconalustee visitor center.

Address: 5501 Josh Birmingham Pkwy, Charlotte, NC 28208

Phone: (704) 359-4013

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Ansel Adams Wilderness

Post author By Dylan
Post date May 7, 2021

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Itineraries

5 Best Day Hikes In The Great Smoky Mountains

Post author By Dylan
Post date May 7, 2021

5 Must Do Day Hikes In The Great Smoky Mountains National Park:

If you are visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for the first time and want to get the most out of your visit here are some great day hikes that should be on any first time visitors list! These hikes are in no particular order just are some cool hikes that offer nice views. Let’s dive in!

Mount Le Conte

Distance: ~11miles

Total Elevation Gain: ~ 2,763ft

Estimated Time: ~ 5hrs 30min

The Trail: Starting at Alum Cave Trail hike to Mt Leconte is a classic hike of the Great Smokey Mountains where you can get lovely views at 6,594ft at the top of Mt LeConte while also catching excellent vistas from the Alum Cave bluffs.

Rainbow Falls

Distance: ~5 miles

Total Elevation Gain: 1,614ft

Estimated time: ~ 3hrs

The Trail: Starting at the Rainbow Falls Trailhead off Cherokee Creek Road although the mileage is low you will encounter some elevation gain so be prepared. At the end of this hike, you will be rewarded with lovely waterfall views.

Charlies Bunion

Distance: ~8miles

Total Elevation Gain: 1,886ft

Estimated Time: ~4hrs 30min

The Hike: This hike along the Appalachian Trail will yield you some incredible panoramic views from above the tree line on the Appalachian Trail. When you arrive at Charlie’s Bunion you will reach a bluff which is an amazing kodak moment!

Clingmans Dome

Distance: 1.2 miles

Elevation Gain: 331ft

Estimated Time: ~20min

Park at Clingmans Dome Visitor center and enter via Clingmans Dome Bypass trail you will enter a very easy paved trail that can be done by the whole family! At the end of this trail, you will arrive at an observation tower where you can get views from elevation. Beware though you may find because it is such an easy trail it may be heavily trafficked during peak seasons. If large crowds are not for you, you may want to avoid this one.

Gregory Bald

Distance: ~11.5miles

Elevation Gain: ~3,020ft

Estimated Time: ~6hrs

The Trail: Starting at Gregory Ridge Trailhead off of Forge Creek Road this hike to Gregory Bald will be especially rewarding in June when the Azaleas of blooming. You will be rewarded with a beautiful palette of colors. throughout your hike and as you near Gregory Bald, you will get amazing vistas of the eastern Smokies.

Day Hike Gear Guide